chapter 5

Heartbreak and New Beginnings

Emily took a deep breath. "I... I really liked you," she confessed.

Liam's eyes widened in shock. "I like you too, Emily, but only as a friend. After Anna, I'm not ready for a relationship."

Emily's face fell. "So you're not going to date anyone again?"

Liam hesitated. "I don't know yet." He glanced at me.

"Maybe I should go," I suggested, sensing the tension.

"No need, Amy," Liam said. "Too late."

"Yeah, no need to leave," Emily added, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam offered a gentle smile. "We can still be friends, close friends."

Emily's eyes sparkled slightly. "For real?"

Liam nodded. "Yes, we can."

Emily composed herself. "Okay, that's good."

As Liam drove off, Emily broke down. "I'm such a fool. Why did I think he'd accept me?"

I consoled her. "You're not a fool, Emily. Liam's just not ready yet. I'm proud of you."

Emily sniffled. "For making a fool of myself."

I countered, "For taking the courage to express your emotions."

Emily smiled weakly. "I guess you're right. I didn't believe I could do it either."

I invited Emily to stay over, and we spent the evening laughing and playing games.

Next morning, we headed to football tryouts.

Coach Jefferson greeted us. "So you two decided to try football?"

Alex snickered. "As if a girl can play."

Coach Jefferson intervened. "Enough, Alex. Let's see what you've got."

I kicked the ball, dribbled past Frank, and scored.

Coach Jefferson nodded. "Nice, Amy. Emily, your turn."

Emily tried but kicked a shot instead.

Coach Jefferson smiled. "Good effort, Emily. Results will be posted Monday."

After tryouts, Liam and I joined Nora for homecoming planning.

Nora presented themes: Happily Ever, Crystal Diamond, and Underwater.

Anita suggested, "How about something wild?"

Nora asked, "Like what?"

Anita grinned. "A baddie theme."

The group voted, and the baddie theme won.

Nora distributed cardboard. "Make posters, draw what you think will attract people."

As we worked, Liam asked, "What are you making?"

I replied, "A rainbow."

Liam showed me his fireball design.

Nora admired our work. "Great job, everyone."

Joshua joked, "I folded the cardboard."

Nora rolled her eyes. "At least you tried, Josh."

As the meeting ended, Nora looked devastated.

"Everything okay?" I asked.

Nora sighed. "No, everyone's not putting effort. I feel like I'm doing this alone."

Liam and I reassured her. "We're in this together."

Monday morning, Liam asked, "Have you seen the tryouts results?"

I replied, "Not yet."

Liam hinted, "See for yourself."

Tryouts results are out. Will Amy make the team?

To be continued...